Bhubaneswar, Feb 10: In a major initiative to strengthen emergency medical services, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday flagged off 250 new ambulances under the second phase of Odisha’s ambulance expansion drive at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The state government has arranged a total of 428 new ambulances as part of the programme to ensure faster and more efficient medical assistance. In the first phase, 150 ambulances were flagged off on December 23, 2025. The entire project is being implemented with an investment of around Rs 111 crore from state funds, with the objective of reducing mortality rates by cutting down the time taken to transport patients to hospitals.
Currently, Odisha operates 866 emergency ambulances statewide. Additionally, 500 ambulances under the ‘Janani Express’ scheme provide dedicated transport services for pregnant women and sick children, serving as a crucial healthcare lifeline.
The Chief Minister said efforts are underway to ensure round-the-clock ambulance connectivity from all blocks to District Headquarters Hospitals and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Services will also extend to airstrips such as Rourkela and Jeypore.
Five Advanced Life Support ambulances are stationed at airports, with two more at Jharsuguda Cancer Hospital, transporting over 5,000 patients daily.
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